Babar Azam and five other Pakistani players to holiday in London after 2024 T20 World Cup exit - Reports
Skipper Babar Azam and five other Pakistani players will reportedly not return home with the rest of the team after their group-stage exit at the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. The Men in Green squad is expected to reach their country on June 19.
However, Babar, along with Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Shabad Khan, Haris Rauf, and Azam Khan won't travel with the team to Pakistan. According to The Express Tribune, the six guys will be in London for a holiday.
The six Pakistani players will spend time with their family and friends in London, with a few also looking to participate in local leagues in the United Kingdom.
The report suggests that with no immediate assignments for the Pakistan team, head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood will depart for their respective homes.
Pakistan have received criticism from all quarters for their underwhelming performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Their campaign kicked off with back-to-back losses against the United States of America and India.
While they secured victories in the subsequent fixtures with Canada and Ireland they failed to finish in the top two of Group A. As a result, they couldn't qualify for the all-important Super 8s.
"If I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly" - Babar Azam after Pakistan's 2024 T20 World Cup debacle
Babar Azam relinquished captaincy of all three formats after Pakistan were knocked out in the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup last year. However, the ace batter was reinstated as the team's white-ball skipper ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after Pakistan's final group match against Ireland on Sunday, Babar stated that it was the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to reappoint him as the limited-overs captain.
The 29-year-old suggested that he won't hide behind anything if he must step down again after another disappointing ICC event. Babar Azam said:
"When I gave up the captaincy (in 2023), I thought that I shouldn't be doing it now, that's why I left it and I announced it myself. Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB."
"When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB's decision," he added.
Babar Azam scored 122 runs from four outings at the 2024 T20 World Cup at an average of 40.66 and a strike rate of 101.66.